Essential reading for healthcare professionals to better understand and recognise postnatal PTSD and support parents

Postnatal PTSD, often referred to as birth trauma, is an underdiagnosed and misunderstood condition. Often mistaken for postnatal depression and with 4% of women developing the condition after giving birth, it is essential that health professionals learn to recognise and prevent postnatal PTSD.

The book supports professionals to better understand, recognise, treat and help prevent birth trauma. It covers the impact of postnatal PTSD on bonding and relationships, birth trauma in Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities, how to support women having another baby and more.

An accessible guide to supporting parents with postnatal PTSD, this book is essential reading for healthcare professionals and those involved with the birthing process.

"We don't usually do book reviews, but this is informative and timely work. As it says at the end; a maternity care system that recognises that birth can be traumatic, and that emphasises kindness, dignity, and respect, works better for everyone - midwives, obstetricians, mothers, and babies. Kim and Shona's expertise and experience, plus the stories from women, their partners and professionals involved in care, illuminates the book. Running though it all, from the history and recognition of PTSD to how it manifests as postnatal PTSD linked to traumatic birth, is the importance of good communication and listening to women and their partners. It also has a chapter on recognising and suggesting help for the often forgotten or ignored secondary traumatic stress and moral injury that can be experienced by midwives, obstetricians and other professionals who've been present at a traumatic birth" - The Nursing and Midwifery Council